Personal Training During Ramadan

As personal trainer, you will be working with many different types of people. They will not only have different personalities but religions customs too. While religion does not need to be considered when training clients, I know some fitness trainers struggle with dietary guidelines during training sessions for those who fast during certain times of the year. One such group are Muslims during Ramadan. Can you exercise during Ramadan? Let's now discuss various topics that you might run into if your train Muslims during Ramadan.

What Is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the time of year in which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking. Ramadan lasts for about a month and during this time, people are not supposed to eat or drink anything from sun up till sun down. This generally includes no drinking water either. People can eat / drink when the sun sets though. The evening meal is called Iftar.

It's important to note that it's not only Muslims who fast. People of other religions including Christianity and Judaism may also periodically fast.

Is Exercise Safe During Ramadan?

For healthy people, yes. There is no evidence people should not exercise during Ramadan fasting. While we should always consider a persons health and the intensity of exercise, for the person with no medical issues, I see no problems with working out during Ramadan.

Personal Training During Ramadan

Exercise during Ramadan fast sometimes confuses personal trainers because of a common belief that to make gains in the gym, its often recommend that people eat immediately after working out. This is called nutrient timing. This is something that isn't possible during Ramadan, if exercise occurs during the day.

Whether you believe in nutrient timing or not, evidence is emerging that it is not necessary to eat immediately after exercise or within 60 minutes after exercise. Eating several hours after exercise appears to work just as well. This is good news for those who fast during the day or who follow intermittent fasting diet programs.

For the person concerned with the anabolic effects of eating after exercise, try to adjust workouts so that the exercise session is closer to the evening. That way, when the person is finished working out, it will be close to the time of the evening meal. Because some gyms like Planet Fitness are open 24 hours, exercise after the evening meal might work too.

Even if the person is working out towards the evening, reducing exercise intensity is recommended because people will be in a fasted state by the time the workout begins. To determine the intensity of exercise I recommend the RPEscale rather than target heart rate .

Because fasting all day will significantly reduce muscle glycogen (carb) reserves, it's likely the person will feel fatigued due to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is probably going to reduce their ability to exercise. This reduction in glycogen may also lead to some weight loss. Most of the weight though will be water and not fat.

Because of reduced muscle glycogen, the intensity of exercise may need to be reduced. This is true for both cardio and strength training. In addition the personal trainer will probably also have to:

Give longer rest periods between sets

Do fewer sets per exercise

Do fewer exercises per body part

Reduce the volume of exercise (weight x reps x sets = volume)

Exercise Ramadan And Weight Loss

Because fewer calories are consumed during Ramadan, some might think this is an ideal time to start a diet to lose weight. If you encounter this person, remind them that real weight loss -the kind that lasts long term -isn't just something that happens over the course of a few weeks. In other words, fasting during Ramadan and then going back to old ways of eating afterward, is unlikely to cause any real, long term benefits. Also remind them the quick weight loss they might see during Ramadan is due to water loss (from glycogen loss ) and not fat loss.

That said, if they use the time during Ramadan, to change the way they eat, then this can be a jumping off point to long term success. I know nutrition is something that not all personal trainers are well versed in so If the trainer is not able to do this, then referring the client to a registered dietitian is in order. You can find dietitians in your area by going to the EatRight.org website.

Also, remind the personal training client that overeating -when eating is allowed – will likely nullify any effects fasting might have. Educate the client that when Ramadan starts, they might notice some fast weight loss. It's not uncommon to notice several pounds lost in the first week. This is true for anyone who reduces calorie intake.

Most of this weight is water, which is released as the person starts using glycogen (stored carbohydrates) for energy. This quick loss of weight during low calorie (and low carb) diets is the reason people lose weight fast on . See this review of low carb diets for more information on this.

Remind the person also that exercise is not the main factor that causes weight loss. Rather, resting metabolism is. I cover this in more detail in this review so see it for more insights.

Ramadan And Weight Loss Supplements

It's possible trainers might encounter Muslims who take weight loss supplements during Ramadan to not only curb appetite but also to ramp up any weight loss that might occur during this time. I don’t think this is a right direction to go. Supplements that I feel would be inappropriate – and possibly dangerous include:

Supplements might contain stimulants

Supplements that contain diuretics

Supplements that contain “fat burners”

Supplements containing herbs

These supplements have the potential to cause elevated heart rate and blood pressure as well as causing electrolyte imbalances which can further cause heart problems. Some supplements might also interfere with medications the person is taking.

When one considers Muslims are taking in fewer calories during Ramadan to begin with, anything which might make them eat less makes no sense, especially if they are also working out. Remember, calories are what gives the muscles energy. Limiting calories during this time will also hinder exercise performance.

As for herbs, amino acid supplements and testosterone boosters, I see every little evidence for most products. I've been investigating supplements since the 1990s. My advice is to save money on ,most muscle building supplements.

Building Muscle During Ramadan

While I would not rule out people can get stronger during Ramadan, I have not seen any research on how much gains people can make during this time. If the client is a beginner, then I'm sure they will get stronger but this is mostly because of changes in the central nervous system. Basically, the nerves will send signals to the muscles to help them perform the exercise better. This better “talking” between the muscles and the nervous system will be the main reason beginners will get stronger. This can last up to 8-12 weeks.

For the person who has been working out for a long time and wants to get stronger or bigger during Ramadan, I think this all depends on how well they eat during the times they are permitted to eat during. Basically, they will have to choose their foods very well, paying very close attention to the macronutrients – proteins, fats and carbs -they eat.

While a multivitamin can't hurt, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) likely won't play any role in muscle growth. That's because extra vitamins and minerals have not been shown to make people bigger, stronger or faster. Still, taking a multivitamin can't hurt and might help offset anything they missed in their diet when they are allowed to eat.

Ramadan And Meal Frequency

Nutrient timing is the name given to eating at certain times of the day to maximize muscle growth and exercise performance. It's likely your clients have heard of this and may have even read books about nutrient timing as well.

As mentioned above, the evidence for nutrient timing is not as strong as some might think. Not all studies show it works. While I do feel timing meals may have some benefits for older adults and “athletes,” I don’t think most people have to worry about this. I point you to this review article for those who want to know more.

Ramadan And Diabetes

Remember that exercise has a blood sugar lowering effect. So, what if you are dealing with a Muslim client during Ramadan who is also is a diabetic? Intense exercise plus the lack of calories / carbs can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This might lead to the person passing out. For the diabetic (type I or type II diabetes), this risk can be greater.

While the unusual treatment for hypoglycemia is to give the person carbs, during Ramadan this might be perceived as a violation of the person's faith.

Obviously, -from a health perspective – it would be best in this situation to give carbs and call an ambulance if needed, but I think the scenario of the diabetic Muslim passing out during Ramadan is best avoided by keeping the exercise intensity at a light to moderate pace. Also, the trainer needs to make the individual aware of hypoglycemia and encourage only appropriate exercise. In this case, client education can be the powerful tool you have to preventing this from occurring.

That said, for clients with type II diabetes, Ramadan might be offer a teachable moment where personal trainers can talk to the client about how weight loss and exercise can help improve – maybe even reverse – their diabetes. I refer you to these posts I've written for more insights:

Muslim Personal Trainers

While I don’t think Ramadan should be an issue for Muslim personal trainers doing one-on-one training with clients, for the trainer who is teaching multiple group fitness classes during the day, the reduced calorie intake might impact the ability to exercise along with the class. For the trainer dealing with this issue, I think it’s a good idea to pace yourself during fitness classes or even try to find subs to teach classes during times when you feel your energy level might be lowest. If necessary, speak to the owner/fitness trainer of the club you work out too.

Have you worked with a clients during Ramadan? Are you a Muslim personal trainer? Share your thoughts and insights so others can benefit from your experiences.

Thanks Joe for this subject. I do exercise with some friends who fast in Ramadan.

Most of them, they do strength training before the Iftar while reducing the volume of exercise (max. 8 reps, medium weight, 90 secs rest period), and after the Iftar in 2-3 hours, they do cardiovascular training for 30-60 minutes.

Actually some people gain weight during Ramadan because the way they eat which is in my point of view is very wrong, am talking about 1 very big meal on the Iftar and another one before the sunshine.

I advise my friends to eat a well balanced meal (carbs + proteins) with logical quantity on the Iftar, and a snack after 2-3 hours with lots of fluids, and if they want to have a meal before sunshine, it is recommended to be with more proteins (as they will sleep after), and try to avoid salty foods to reduce thirstiness during the day.

I am a big fan of your blogs, and because of that, I’m on way to get the ACSM CPT.

Hi Joe can talk about my experience of fasting and workout… The workout Should be %40 before break the fast but after break it’s easy to go back to your program…. But most after two hours….

I’m personal trainer and nutritionist if you do before break fast that means you’re going to keep and correct your hormones from disease… And if you have 11 month workout before Ramadan you should take rest in Ramadan…. I did for many years i didn’t gain weight just i kept my muscles in same size….

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Joe Cannon, MS has written for several publications including The Journal of Strength and Conditioning, Today's Dietitian, and Prevention. He's been quoted in the New York Times, lectured to NASA and has been a content consultant for Dateline NBC. He's the author of the first book ever published on rhabdomyolysis and exercise.
Joe Cannon, has a BS in Chemistry and Biology and a MS in Exercise Science. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a personal trainer certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).